The famous Palkin Restaurant was founded on the same spot in the 1830s and was one of the city's most popular eateries until the 1917 Revolution. Noted for its fine food, wines and its billiards table, it attracted well known composers and writers of the day including Tchaikovsky, Saltykov-Shchedrin, Chekhov and Leskov.
Today Gora has a restaurant and two casino lounges and the city's only genuine French roulette table.There are also tables for black jack and poker. The small restaurant seats 14 and one can dine to the accompaniment of an acoustic guitarist. The Premier recreates old spirit of imperial times with its luxurious interior but has a reasonably priced menu (Average meal around 60,000) and polite waiters. Visitors are asked to wear evening suits. The Premier operates only through membership but it's possible to get an invitation by phoning beforehand.